New toolkit will support schools in measuring and monitoring the mental health of their pupils

Half of all mental health problems appear before the age of 14

Schools are increasingly at the forefront of children and young people’s mental health

Information will help schools promote wellbeing and assess the impact of school based mental health interventions

This World Mental Health Day the Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families (AFNCCF) in partnership with Public Health England (PHE) launch a toolkit for schools and colleges to support the measurement and monitoring of children and young people’s mental wellbeing.

With half of all diagnosable mental health disorders established by the age of 14, there is a strong case to promote children and young people’s mental health. Schools and college environments are a vital part of children and young people’s support system and are increasingly recognised as key sites to help promote pupil mental wellbeing. Up until now, school teams and support staff have not had clear information about robust, evidence-based tools to help them measure and monitor wellbeing.

The development of the toolkit was commissioned by Public Health England and led by the Evidence-Based Practice Unit of the Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families (AFNCCF). It provides schools in the UK with information about a range of psychometrically sound and effective wellbeing instruments. It also provides details about how to use them, with real-life examples from schools that have used the measures.

“Our ambition is that all schools and colleges are able to embed measurement systems that help them review the mental health and well-being needs of their students. The toolkit will also help schools assess whether their approaches to mental health are having a positive impact.”

Routine measurement of mental well-being in educational settings means that schools and colleges have a profile of the potential strengths and difficulties in their student population and also means that any potential improvements year-on-year resulting from school or college-based support are automatically captured.

The aim of the toolkit is to support schools and pastoral staff to address and consider the data and tools they can draw on to understand, define and measure pupil mental wellbeing on a more formal basis. Such efforts taken to promote the physical and mental health of the student population creates a virtuous circle, reinforcing attainment and achievement that in turn improves student wellbeing, enabling students to thrive and achieve their full potential.

Eustace de Sousa, National lead for Children, Young People and Families, Public Health England, said:

“Recent evidence shows that more young people are reporting concerns about their mental health affecting their studies. This toolkit is a timely reminder of the important contribution that school and college staff have, alongside parents and carers, in identifying and responding early to the mental health needs of children and young people. By investing early, children and young people will reap the benefits of better health and education outcomes.”

Minister of State for Vulnerable Children and Families, Edward Timpson said:

“Growing up in today’s world can be tough. From negative comments on social media to pressures to look a certain way, the wellbeing of young people is at risk. That’s why we want teachers to be able to spot the signs that their pupils are having difficult thoughts or feelings and feel confident about supporting them. This toolkit can help schools to monitor the wellbeing of their pupils and builds on the work we are already doing to create better links between schools and children’s mental health services.”

Dr Tanya Lereya, a key member of the team who developed the toolkit, will speak about the resource at a Schools in Mind event on 8 November held at Camden Town Hall, London, and it will be freely available to download from AFNCCF host website.

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http://www.the-educator.org/wp-content/uploads/image1-3-1030x686.png00adminhttp://www.the-educator.org/wp-content/uploads/image1-3-1030x686.pngadmin2016-10-07 09:13:472016-10-07 09:13:47First resource launched to measure and monitor children and young people’s mental wellbeing in UK schools and colleges